Filter media insert structures and methods of installation

ABSTRACT

Structures for housing a filtration media for the removal and/or solidifying of synthetic ester-based fluids from liquids are provided. The structures disclosed include: a stormwater insert container for installation within a storm drain designed for intake of high volumes of water; an angling filter plug mounting structure and pre-filter basket for a flush installation on a planar floor, such that the filtration media rests beneath the floor and releases filtered liquids into a drainage area; a trench filtration assembly for installation into a trench below surface level, such that the unfiltered liquid passes through the trench and a trench box disposed within the trench filtration assembly prior to passing through the filtration media into a drainage area; and a liner box assembly for installation over an opening made in a non-permeable liner for purposes of pre-filtering contaminated liquids as it flows through the liner box and subsequently the filtration media.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to structures for receiving filtrationmedias for use in filtering debris, and removing and/or solidifyingsynthetic ester-based fluids from liquids, such that the resultantliquids may be free from such oils and solvents after filtering. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to filtration insertcontainers for holding a filtration media, and the methods of making,forming, and installing the same, for separating synthetic ester-basedfluids, oil sheen, dirt, and other debris from liquid, which is useful,for example, in power plant and other industrial applications.

2. Description of Related Art

Today's escalation in power demands pushes often aging networks to theirlimits, causing unprecedentedly high failure rates in theirtechnologies, such as catastrophic failures in large power transformers.In these situations, mineral-oil-based dielectric insulating fluids havedemonstrated costly limitations. For instance, mineral-oil-filledtransformer explosions and fires causing heavy collateral damage haveraised major safety concerns. There have also been major environmentalconcerns over the toxic effects of uncontained mineral oil spills. Thishas given rise to a new class of alternative dielectric insulatingfluids (ester oils) that have historically been developed to answerthese specific concerns, but present unique problems of their own.

In order to prevent contamination of the environment by oils andsolvents, in many commercial and industrial applications andinstallations, spill containment systems are built that not only trapthe potential spilled liquids but also any process liquid orrain/snow-melt liquid that comes in contact with the spill containmentarea. Federal, State and local regulations that mandate spill protectionto minimize or eliminate contaminated discharges to the environmentrequire engagement at the spill site, such as the implementation ofcontainment methods and systems.

One such example of a spill containment system is the implementation ofstorm drains typically found at truck stops. These drains are effectiveat redirecting high volumes of water away from the location, but in manyinstances, these high volumes of water contain oil sheen accumulatedfrom the surrounding environment. Such oil sheen includes, but is notlimited to, diesel, gasoline, hydrocarbon oils, transmission fluids,general fuels, or the like.

Another example includes drainage trenches disposed near loading docksat automotive based businesses including car dealerships. These trenchestypically run along the door of the loading dock, or just outside of it.Water runoff (and gas/oil mixed in) is collected within these trenches.This water runoff feeds into a storm drain with little to no filtrationapplied beforehand.

As yet another example, present day power plants use natural and/orsynthetic ester-based fluids (also referred to herein as “oil” or“fluid”) to greatly improve electrical performance and coolingcapabilities in their transformers. Ester-based fluids may also be usedas lubricants, and as hydraulic fluids. The use of natural esters (whichare typically oil based) at these plants presents the possibility offluid spills occurring on-site, which presents a risk of environmentalcontamination. Natural esters may also be flammable or present poorbiodegradable properties, among other issues. Synthetic ester-basedfluids have thus been created in response to these issues that arisefrom the use of natural esters.

Synthetic base ester oil is oil that has been chemically synthesized.Typically, synthetic ester-based fluids are used in such applications aspassenger car air-conditioning compressors, refrigerators, andtransformers, and in other industrial applications. Synthetic esters areprized for their ability to lubricate at high temperatures. One of themain reasons for this is that they have a much lower volatility thanother lubricant base oils at a given viscosity. Volatility is stronglyrelated to smoke point, flash point, and fire point. Ester oils aregenerally utilized as a replacement for mineral oil in distribution andpower class transformers.

Although these synthetic ester-based fluids are deemed to benon-hazardous and biodegradable, a formulation can include hundreds ofadditives, which address performance issues specific to theirapplication and performance shortcomings of the base oil. Additives arecommonly used to address oxidative aging, corrosion, high pressure, lowor high temperature conditions, phase transition, shear, foaming, andhydrolysis (particularly for vegetable and synthetic ester-based oils).Consequently, the need exists for total synthetic ester-based fluidcontainment technology in the event that a failure occurs which requiresimmediate containment.

Generally, graphene has been utilized as a filler for compositematerials due in part to its intrinsic mechanical, thermal, andelectrical properties. For example, graphene's lack of solubility insubstantially all solvents has led to the common practice of eitherusing graphene oxide or reduced graphene oxide in lieu of pristinegraphene sheets.

In U.S. Pat. No. 9,646,735 issued to Adamson, et al. on May 9, 2017,titled “GRAPHENE/GRAPHITE POLYMER COMPOSITE FOAM DERIVED FROM EMULSIONSSTABILIZED BY GRAPHENE/GRAPHITE KINETIC TRAPPING,” a graphene/graphitestabilized composite (e.g., graphene/graphite stabilizedemulsion-templated foam composite) is used to make foam composites thathave shown bulk conductivities up to about 2 S/m, as well as compressivemoduli up to about 100 MPa and breaking strengths of over 1200 psi, withdensities as low as about 0.25 g/cm³.

The aforementioned graphene/graphite material may be formed as anadsorption/absorption media to achieve desirable results when exposed tonatural esters (e.g. hydrocarbon oils); however, reaction to syntheticester-based fluids is entirely unique due to high flash point propertiesand resistance to combustion/explosion.

Thus, although the graphene/graphite polymer composite foam of U.S. Pat.No. 9,646,735 is promising for potential application to natural esters,there are limitations and unique challenges to the application of thiscomposite for applications requiring the containment of esters (naturaland synthetic).

Problems regarding the installation and structure of filtrationassemblies, and their ability to handle certain flows/volumes of fluidare present in the prior art. In one instance, stormwater drains areill-equipped to handle the high volumes of fluid occasionally presentedto them (e.g. during major rainstorms) in a manner that achieves properfiltration of sheen from such stormwater while simultaneously allowingthe passage of filtered fluid at such high volume levels. Thesestormwater drains are structured either to simply allow full passage ofcontaminated fluids therethrough, or may present crude filtrationcapabilities, but are deficient as they cannot filter in speeds andefficiencies necessary to prevent buildup and resultant puddling on thesurface above the drain.

In another instance, spill containment areas typically found in powerplants and other such areas akin to regular exposure to oils, esters,and/or general sheen, present poor solutions when faced with the problemof drainage. Specifically, the prior art fails to properly address theissue of draining fluid buildup from the containment area in a mannerthat keeps the contamination within said area, and simultaneously allowsthe egress of filtered water from the same area. Many prior artsolutions present filtration assemblies that are poorly structured, andare thus exposed to constant clogging from larger particles such asstone, dirt, trash, and other larger debris, resulting in largelyineffective filtration, or complete bypass of the assembly itselfthereby rendering it ineffective.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Bearing in mind the problems and deficiencies of the prior art, it istherefore an object of the present invention to provide a filtrationmedia insert box or container that allows for a steady flow rate ofwater and sealing in the presence of an overloaded supply of ester-basedfluids, and predominantly synthetic ester-based fluids.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a stormwaterinsert box or filter container capable of filtering oil sheen from highvolumes of rainwater introduced to the insert filter container overshort periods of time.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide astormwater insert box or filter container and shutoff valve assemblycapable of allowing a bypass flow of stormwater into a storm drain oncethe measured volume per unit of time exceeds an established threshold.

It is still a further object of the present invention to provide amethod of installing a stormwater insert filter container into a stormdrain at locations exposed to high volumes of fluid and/or oil sheen.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a stormwaterinsert filter container capable of accepting high volumes of water in acavity below surface level, thus enabling any pooling fluids to gatherbelow the surface and prevent pooling above the surface while such fluidis being filtered.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an angledfilter insert assembly for a filter media plug for filtering ester-basedfluid spills at energy plants in such a way that allows for easydrainage of the filtered water into a location outside of the affectedarea.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a drainage andfiltration system that utilizes multiple angled filter insert assembliesto direct filtered fluids away from a containment area and towards asump.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide a methodof installing an angled filter insert assembly for a filter media plugat energy plants and other sites akin to constant dangers of ester/oilleakage.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a method ofinstalling an angled filter insert assembly system that uses multiplefilter insert assemblies and filter media plugs, which allows for theleading of filtered fluids into a collective container such as a sump.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a trenchfiltration assembly for a filter media plug for filtering fluid runoffintroduced into the trench.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a method ofinstalling a trench box into a water runoff trench at a loading dock orsimilar automotive-based locations.

Still a further object of the present invention is to provide numerousmethods for removing and replacing the media within a trench boxhousing, and for further reattaching the trench box to said housing.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a pre-filter linerbox assembly for filtering contaminated fluid collected within anon-permeable liner while simultaneously preventing clogs.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method ofinstalling a pre-filter liner box assembly within a non-permeable liner.

Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part beobvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.

The above and other objects, which will be apparent to those skilled inthe art, are achieved in the present invention which is directed to astormwater filter container assembly. It comprises an insert filtercontainer having a hollow internal structure, which is bounded by insideand outside surfaces with a filter media contained therein. Said insidesurface forms a cavity. An insert filter container lip or flangeencloses a top portion of said hollow internal structure. A mountingbracket has a mounting bracket flange for receiving the insert filtercontainer lip or flange, and a cavity is disposed in the mountingbracket for receiving the insert filter container. The insert filtercontainer is disposed within the mounting bracket such that the insertfilter container is insertable within the mounting bracket cavity, andthe insert filter container lip or flange is supported on the mountingbracket flange. The storm water flowing into the insert filter containercavity exits through the inside and outside surfaces while passingthrough the filtration media.

In an embodiment, the stormwater filter container assembly may furtherinclude a silicone gasket disposed between the mounting flange andinsert filter container lip to create a fluid-tight seal between themounting bracket and insert container. A grate may be disposed over thetop surface of the insert filter container within the mounting bracket,and a pre-filter pad may be disposed over the top surface of the grate,also within the mounting bracket to provide additional filtration ofentering stormwater. An overflow valve may be included, which isconnected to the top surface of the grate and extends through the insertfilter container lip. The overflow valve allows excess fluids tocircumvent the insert filter container when fluid is introduced to thefilter container assembly at a rate of approximately 80 gallons perminute or more. The overflow valve may further be connected to the topsurface of the grate via a hinge, or a plunger-like structure. Theinsert filter container may be formed in a cylindrical, square, oval,pentagonal, or octagonal shape. The mounting bracket may be disposedwithin a storm drain.

The present invention is also directed to a filter insert assembly forhousing a filter media plug. Said filter insert assembly comprises afilter media plug mounting structure having an exposed horizontal topsurface and at least one internal sidewall with a bore for receiving aholding sleeve, said holding sleeve structured for receiving the filterplug at an angle with respect to the horizontal top surface.

In an embodiment, the at least one internal sidewall of the filter mediaplug mounting structure is shaped to allow for fluid to flow in thedirection towards the holding sleeve and filter plug. The filter mediaplug mounting structure may include a plurality of sidewalls and a base,wherein a height of a first sidewall differs from a height of a secondsidewall, and thus the base is angled away from the horizontal topsurface. A pre-filter basket may further be included, which is disposedover the bore of the exposed horizontal top surface of the filter mediaplug mounting structure. The filter media plug mounting structure mayreceive a plurality of holding sleeves for a plurality of filter mediaplugs.

The present invention is further directed to a filter insert assemblyfor receiving a filter media plug. The filter insert assembly comprisesa filter media plug mounting structure including vertical sidewalls withtop edges and a base plate approximately perpendicular to said verticalwalls, said vertical sidewalls and base plate forming an internalcavity. Flanges extend outwardly from said top edges away from saidcavity. The base plate is angled with respect to the floor surface. Aholding sleeve is disposed on one of said sidewalls or the angled baseplate underneath the floor surface. The holding sleeve receives a filtermedia plug having a filtration media disposed therein for filtering oiland other debris from a fluid. A pre-filter basket having sidewallscomposed of a metal liner and a top surface is disposed over the top ofthe insert box, such that the bottom edges of the pre-filter basketsidewalls align with the top edges of the insert box sidewalls.

In an embodiment, the filter media plug mounting structure may be forinstallation underneath a liner and above or flush with a floor surface.Batten strips may further be included, which are disposed over thefilter media plug mounting structure sidewall top edge flanges and theliner, such that the liner is straddled between the batten strips andsidewall top edge flanges. An upwardly expanding wall may be disposed ona rear of the filter media plug mounting structure and above the holdingsleeve. The pre-filter basket may be rotatably secured to the upwardlyexpanding wall allowing for the top surface to rotate open and closed.The upwardly expanding wall of the filter media plug mounting structuremay further be secured to a containment wall disposed behind the filtermedia plug mounting structure and above the holding sleeve afterinstallation.

The present invention is still further directed to a method ofinstalling a filter insert assembly. The method provides: a horizontalfloor surface having a liner disposed on top, a filter media plugmounting structure having sidewalls with flanges extending from theirtop edges to sit above or flush with the floor surface, and a base plateangled with respect to the horizontal floor surface, and at least oneholding sleeve disposed on one of said sidewalls for receiving at leastone filter media plug having a filtration media disposed therein forfiltering oil and other debris from a fluid. The method includes thesteps of: inserting the at least one filter media plug into the at leastone holding sleeve within the filter media plug mounting structure at anangle with respect to the horizontal floor surface; mounting the filtermedia plug structure below the horizontal floor surface with thesidewall top edge flanges disposed between the floor surface and theliner, and the at least one holding sleeve disposed beneath thehorizontal floor surface; installing batten strips over the sidewallflanges such that the liner is straddled between the batten strips andthe flanges, securing the filter media plug structure in place; anddisposing a pre-filter basket having sidewalls composed of a metal linerand a top surface over the top of the filter media plug mountingstructure such that the bottom edges of the pre-filter basket sidewallsalign with the top edges of the filter media plug structure sidewalls.

In an embodiment, the method may further include the steps of attachingthe at least one holding sleeve to a sub-drainage pipe, connecting thesub-drainage pipe to a main drainage pipe, the main drainage pipe whichleads into a sump. The method may also include the steps of installingmultiple filtration media plug structures, and connecting eachfiltration media plug structure at least one holding sleeve to asub-drainage pipe, wherein each sub-drainage pipe connects to the maindrainage pipe leading into the sump. The method may alternately includethe step of inserting the at least one filter media plug into the atleast one holding sleeve within the filter media plug mounting structureoccurring after the step of mounting the filter media plug structurebelow the horizontal floor surface.

The present invention is also directed to a trench filtration assemblyfor a filter media plug. The trench filtration assembly comprises ahousing having a top, a front end for receiving a trench box and a rearend for receiving a sleeve for a filter media plug for filtering oil andother debris from a fluid. A movable top panel is secured to the top ofthe housing. A bracket is for securing the trench box to the housingfront end. The trench filtration assembly is adapted for installationwithin a trench such that the trench filtration assembly is at leastpartially within said trench, and the filter media plug extends beyondthe housing and outside the trench such that water may only exit thetrench through the filter media plug. The trench filtration assembly hasa width similar to that of the trench walls so that any fluid passingthrough the trench enters the assembly only through the trench boxinstalled on the housing front end. A removable grate is disposed withinthe trench box for preventing the passage of rocks and debris throughthe housing. A gasket is disposed between the mounting structure andtrench box for maintaining a fluid-tight seal between the trench box andhousing.

In an embodiment, the trench box is secured to the mounting bracket viabolts. A body of the trench box may be disposed inside of the housingonce it is secured to the mounting bracket. The trench box may berotatably connected to the mounting bracket to allow the trench box torotate away from the housing. The body of the trench box may be disposedoutside of the housing once it is secured to the mounting bracket. Thetrench box may have flanges extending from its side edges, and themounting bracket may secure the trench box to the housing via slotsdisposed on either side of the mounting structure. The slots receive thetrench box flanges, and the trench box is disposed outside of thehousing once it is secured to the mounting bracket.

The present invention is further directed to a method of installing atrench filtration assembly for an absorption/adsorption media plug. Themethod provides a trench for the passage of fluid therethrough, thetrench having a length, walls covered with a non-permeable liner and abarrier at the end of its length, and a trench filtration assemblyhaving a housing with a front end for receiving a trench box and a rearend for receiving a sleeve for a filter media plug, a top panel movablysecured to the top of the housing, a mounting structure for securing thetrench box to the housing front end, a removable grate disposed withinthe trench box for preventing entrance of rocks and debris within thehousing, and a gasket. The method includes the steps of: inserting thefilter media plug within the housing, such that the filter media plugextends beyond the housing; installing the mounting bracket over thefront end of the housing; inserting the housing and filter media plugwithin the trench such that the filter media plug extends through thetrench barrier; disposing the gasket between the mounting bracket andthe trench box to maintain a fluid-tight seal between the trench box andthe housing; securing the trench box to the housing front end via themounting bracket; installing a pre-filter grate over the top of thetrench box assembly; and placing a trench grate over the top of thepre-filter grate such that it covers a top opening of the trench.

The present invention is also directed to a front end linerpre-filtration assembly for a filter plug. It comprises a linerpre-filtration assembly for disposal over the opening of a liner orcurtain. The pre-filtration assembly comprises a post for attaching aliner pre-filtration assembly thereto. A liner box is secured to thepost, and has a partially permeable surface. A mounting box has a recesswith sidewalls, wherein at least one sidewall is permeable. A mountingbracket secures the mounting box to the liner box such that the lineropening is disposed therebetween. A pre-filter grating is disposed overthe mounting box. A gravel guard formed into a bracket or crescent shapeis disposed over the liner filtration assembly once the at least twoposts, liner box, mounting bracket, mounting box, and pre-filter gratingare installed together.

The present invention is still further directed to a method ofinstalling a liner pre-filtration assembly within a liner material forpre-filtration of a fluid. The method provides a non-permeable liner orcurtain having sidewalls with inner and outer surfaces for containing aflow of a fluid, a portion of the liner having an opening for thepassage of fluid, and a liner pre-filtration assembly that comprises apost for attaching the liner pre-filtration assembly thereto, a linerbox with a partially permeable surface for securing to the post andcovering the liner opening, a mounting box having a recess with foursidewalls and a permeable base for disposal over the opposite, innerside of the liner opening, a mounting bracket for securing the mountingbox to the liner box such that the liner opening will be disposedtherebetween, a pre-filter grating for placement over the mounting box,and a gravel guard formed in a bracket or crescent shape. The methodincludes the steps of: installing the post to the liner outer surfaceadjacent the liner opening; securing the liner box to the post such thatit covers the liner opening; attaching the mounting box to the liner boxvia the mounting bracket such that the containment liner material isdisposed between the mounting box and liner box; placing the pre-filtergrating over the mounting box; and surrounding the completed linerfiltration assembly with the gravel guard.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the invention believed to be novel and the elementscharacteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in theappended claims. The figures are for illustration purposes only and arenot drawn to scale. The invention itself, however, both as toorganization and method of operation, may best be understood byreference to the detailed description which follows taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1A is a front cross-sectional view of a stormwater insert box orfilter container of the present invention.

FIG. 1B is a partial cross-sectional view of the connection structure ofthe stormwater insert box or filter container of FIG. 1A, shown withinDetail A.

FIG. 1C is a top-down view of the stormwater insert box or filtercontainer of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1D is a partial cross-sectional exploded view of the stormwaterinsert box or filter container of FIG. 1A.

FIG. 2A is a front cross-sectional view of an alternate embodiment of astormwater insert box or filter container of present inventionincorporating an overflow valve.

FIG. 2B is a partial cross-sectional view of the connection structureand overflow valve of the stormwater insert box or filter container ofFIG. 2A, shown within Detail B.

FIG. 2C is a top-down view of the stormwater insert box or filtercontainer of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 2D is a front, cross-sectional, exploded view of the stormwaterinsert box or filter container of FIG. 2A.

FIG. 3A is a side cross-sectional view of a filter insert assembly ofthe present invention, the filter insert assembly shown as beinginstalled in a drainage area.

FIG. 3B is a top-down view of a filter media plug mounting structure ofthe filter insert assembly of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C is a perspective view of the filter insert assembly of FIG. 3Aexcluding a pre-filter basket.

FIG. 3D is another perspective view of the disassembled filter insertassembly of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3E is yet another perspective view of the filter insert assembly ofFIG. 3A.

FIG. 4A is a top-down view of an alternate embodiment of a filter mediaplug mounting structure of a filter insert assembly of the presentinvention, wherein two holding sleeves are connected to the box insteadof one.

FIG. 4B is a perspective view of the filter media plug mountingstructure of FIG. 4A.

FIG. 5A is a side cross-sectional view of an in-situ installation of adrainage system including the filter insert assembly of FIG. 3A,connected to a sump pump of the present invention.

FIG. 5B is a top-down view of an in-situ installation of a drainagesystem incorporating multiple filter insert assemblies of FIG. 3A.

FIG. 6A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a trench filtrationassembly of the present invention using a bolted connection structure.

FIG. 6B is a perspective exploded view of the trench filtration assemblyof FIG. 6A excluding the trench and housing.

FIG. 6C is a side cross-sectional view of the trench filtration assemblyof FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6D is a side view of the trench filtration assembly of FIG. 6Ashowing the installation of the trench box into the housing.

FIG. 6E is a top-down cross-sectional view of the trench filtrationassembly of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6F is another side cross-sectional view of the trench filtrationassembly of FIG. 6A.

FIG. 6G is another top-down view of the trench filtration assembly ofFIG. 6A showing the pre-filter grate disposed over the top of saidtrench filtration assembly.

FIG. 7A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a trench filtrationassembly of the present invention using a slide-in connection structure.

FIG. 7B is a perspective exploded view of the trench filtration assemblyof FIG. 7A excluding the trench and housing.

FIG. 7C is a side cross-sectional view of the trench filtration assemblyof FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7D is a side view of the trench filtration assembly of FIG. 7Ashowing the installation of the trench box into the housing.

FIG. 7E is a top-down cross-sectional view of the trench filtrationassembly of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7F is another side cross-sectional view of the trench filtrationassembly of FIG. 7A.

FIG. 7G is another top-down view of the trench filtration assembly ofFIG. 7A showing the pre-filter grate disposed over the top of saidtrench filtration assembly.

FIG. 8A is a perspective view of an embodiment of a trench filtrationassembly of the present invention using a rotatable connectionstructure.

FIG. 8B is a perspective exploded view of the trench filtration assemblyof FIG. 8A excluding the trench and housing.

FIG. 8C is a side cross-sectional view of the trench filtration assemblyof FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8D is a side view of the trench filtration assembly of FIG. 8Ashowing the installation of the trench box into the housing.

FIG. 8E is a top-down cross-sectional view of the trench filtrationassembly of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8F is another side cross-sectional view of the trench filtrationassembly of FIG. 8A.

FIG. 8G is another top-down view of the trench filtration assembly ofFIG. 8A showing the pre-filter grate disposed over the top of saidtrench filtration assembly.

FIGS. 9A-9B present a pre-filter grate and associated pre-filtermaterial that is installed in conjunction with the trench filtrationassemblies of FIGS. 6A-8G.

FIG. 10 is a perspective, exploded view of a liner box or linerfiltration assembly for installation over an opening in a liner, theliner box or liner filtration assembly using a bolted connectionstructure.

FIG. 11 is a perspective, exploded view of an embodiment of the linerbox or liner filtration assembly of FIG. 10 using a slide-in connectionstructure.

FIG. 12 is a perspective, exploded view of an embodiment of the linerbox or liner filtration assembly of FIG. 10 using a rotatable connectionstructure.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S)

In describing the embodiment(s) of the present invention, reference willbe made herein to FIGS. 1-12 of the drawings in which like numeralsrefer to like features of the invention.

The filtration media insert structures of the present invention mayincorporate the filtration media presented in U.S. Pat. No. 6,841,077titled “SEPARATION OF HYDROCARBONS FROM HYDROCARBON CONTAINING LIQUID”and filed on Oct. 30, 2002 (the “'077 patent”); and U.S. Pat. No.6,485,639 titled “SEPARATION OF HYDROCARBONS FROM HYDROCARBON CONTAININGLIQUID” and filed on Jan. 7, 1999 (the “'639 patent”); both of whichwere invented by William Gannon, et al., and assigned to SolidificationProducts International, Inc. An embodiment of the filtration mediainsert box described in greater detail below incorporates the filtrationmedia and associated plug structure presented in U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 16/732,963 titled “ADSORPTION/ABSORPTION FILTER MEDIA ANDMETHOD OF MAKING SAME” and filed on Jan. 2, 2020 (the “963application”), also invented by William J. Gannon. The disclosures ofthe above are incorporated by reference herein (hereinafter“Incorporated Disclosures”). Other filtration media may be implementedwithin the insert box of the present invention without any degradationin performance of the insert box; however, filtration aspects of thedifferent filter media will vary according to the filter mediaproperties. Different filtration media may be chosen depending upon thedesired filtration characteristics.

Stormwater Insert Filter Container Assembly Embodiment:

In a first embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 1A-1D,a stormwater filter container assembly 17 includes a stormwater insertbox or filter container 10 having sidewalls 15 and a base 14 forinstallation within storm drains (typically underneath a grate)identified as manhole 45, the types of which are commonly located attruck re-fueling stations. These stormwater insert filter containers aretypically replaced every 2-3 years, depending on the volumes of oilsheen and dirt introduced into any particular storm drain insert overtime.

The insert filter container is cylindrical and has a hollow internalstructure, but may be formed in other shapes as desired (e.g., square,oval, pentagonal, octagonal, etc.) to conform to the storm drain inwhich it will be installed. A metal liner forms both the inside andoutside surfaces 11 a, 11 b of the insert container 10, with the hollowinternal structure being bounded by these surfaces. Surface 11 b isformed by an outer cylinder having a base and a larger diameter, andsurface 11 a is formed by an inner cylinder having a base and a smallerdiameter, wherein both cylinders 11 a, 11 b share a same axial center16. The diameter of the smaller cylinder 11 a is small enough to createa gap between the surfaces 11 a, 11 b and bases thereof to receive afiltration media 12, as shown in FIG. 1A. The filtration media 12extends from approximately the top perimeter of the insert container,down to and including its base 14. An insert filter container lip orflange 13 extends radially outwards from the top surface of the insertfilter container starting at the top edge of inner cylinder 11 a, whichacts to hold the insert filter container in place within the storm drainor other mounting structure (e.g. a mounting bracket 40) uponinstallation. Lip or flange 13 further covers the gap formed between thecylinders 11 a, 11 b, enclosing the filtration media 12 in place withinthe hollow internal structure.

FIGS. 1A-1B, and 1D present cross-sectional side and perspective viewsof an embodiment of the stormwater insert box or filter containerassembly 17 after installation, with FIG. 1B showing the more detailedfeatures presented within Detail A of FIG. 1A. The complete installationpresents the stormwater insert filter container 10 disposed within andbeing held by the cylindrical mounting bracket 40 having a cavitydisposed substantially in the middle. A mounting flange 42 extendsperpendicularly away from the sidewalls of the mounting bracket 40 forthe outwardly extending lip/flange 13 of the container 10 to rest onafter the insert filter container 10 is inserted within the mountingbracket cavity. Once in place, a fastener 38 (e.g., a screw, nail,dowel, magnet, clamp, bolt, rivet, pin, etc.) extends through the insertcontainer flange 13 and mounting flange 42 to create a fluid-tight sealand secure the container 10 within the drain. A silicone gasket 44 maybe disposed between the mounting flange 42 and extending lip 13 forimproved sealing purposes, the gasket 44 which would also be held inplace by the fastener 38. See FIG. 1B.

After the insert filter container 10 is affixed to the mounting bracket40, a grate barrier 24 (which may be comprised of aluminum, stainlesssteel, iron, or any other suitable material) is disposed over the topopening of the insert container 10. This grate 24 may comprise apermeable, flow-through portion on all or a part of its surface (asexemplified in FIG. 1C), depending on the installer's preference. Apre-filter pad 34 is disposed over the top of the grate 24, whichexpands from approximately the inside edges of the mounting bracket 40,as shown in FIG. 1A. A pre-filter batting 32 may further be disposed ontop of the pre-filter pad 34 in a like manner (which also expands fromwall to wall within the mounting bracket 40) to add a layer ofprotection to the pre-filter, and provide even further filtration, if sodesired by the installer.

In an embodiment of a stormwater insert filter container assembly 17′,an overflow valve 20 is equipped with a second embodiment of thestormwater insert box/filter container 10′ as shown in FIGS. 2A-2D to beused in the event that the insert filter container 10′ is exposed tofluids entering the box at approximately a rate of 80 gallons per minute(“gpm”) or more, or becomes clogged. This overflow valve extends throughthe top surface of grate barrier 24 via a plunger-like structure, asshown in FIG. 2A, and FIG. 2B (which presents the more detailed portionsof Detail B within FIG. 2A) and connects to the lip or flange 13 of theinsert filter container 10′. The overflow valve 20 may be manuallyactivated by either a handle or by spring action. Once activated, theoverflowing filter container assembly 17′ is relieved of the highvolumes of water via circumventing the stormwater filter container 10′and flowing directly into the drain.

A filter bag (not shown) such as a micro-mesh, or free-flow mesh 31 (asshown in FIGS. 2A-2D) composed of a filtering fabric may be includedwith the insert container 10′ to act as a pre-filter which captures dirtand debris that might be carried into the insert container by flowingwater. This filter bag/mesh is placed inside of the insert container tocover the base and sidewalls. Further micro-mesh material may bedisposed over the top surface of the stormwater insert box/filtercontainer to cover the entirety of its opening and provide furtherpre-filtering capabilities.

Installation of the second embodiment of the insert container 10′ intoan existing manhole 45 (underneath a manhole grate 46) is substantiallythe same as with the first insert container embodiment 10. Thus, thenumber labels across FIGS. 2A-2D (which represent the second embodiment)represent the same features numbered across the first insert filtercontainer 10 embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1D.

In use, the stormwater filter container embodiments shown across FIGS.1A-2D may take in high volumes of rain water or other fluids. In manyinstances, these high volumes of water contain oil sheen picked up fromthe surrounding environment, such oil sheen including, but not beinglimited to, diesel, gasoline, hydrocarbon oils, transmission fluids,general fuels, or the like. The water and oil sheen mix enters throughthe center cavity of the insert box 10 or 10′ and discharges through theinsert container base 14 and sidewalls 15 containing the filtrationmedia 12. The filtration media within the insert container are designedto remove the oil sheen from the water, adsorbing or plugging the oilsheen within the filtration media as the contaminated fluid continues toflow through it.

In the stormwater insert box or container embodiments that include thefilter bag/mesh and/or manual overflow valve, the possibility ofclogging may eventually occur after prolonged exposure to water and oilsheen mixtures. Furthermore, dirt and debris brought into the stormwaterinsert box assembly 17′ may eventually build up in the filter bag orinsert container 10′ to impermeable levels, resulting in overflowissues. Should this occur, an end user may engage the overflow valve 20to allow the building fluid to circumvent the insert container and passinto the below storm drain so as to avoid excessive pooling on thesurface. Furthermore, the stormwater insert container is capable ofcompletely sealing itself and preventing flow of all liquid in instanceswhere an overload of hydrocarbons or oil is introduced into thestormwater container.

A further embodiment is presented as a method of installing a stormwaterfilter container, comprising the steps of: placing a mounting brackethaving a mounting bracket flange and a cavity within a storm drain;providing an insert filter container having a hollow internal structurebounded by inside and outside surfaces with a filter media containedtherein, wherein said inside surface forms a cavity; providing an insertfilter container lip or flange enclosing a top portion of said hollowinternal structure; inserting the insert filter container within themounting bracket cavity, such that the mounting bracket flange supportsthe insert filter container by the insert filter container lip or flangewithin the mounting bracket cavity; disposing a grate over the top ofthe insert filter container and inside the mounting bracket; andcovering the top of the grate with a pre-filter pad also disposed insideof the mounting bracket.

Angling Filter Insert Assembly Embodiment:

In another embodiment of the present invention as shown in FIGS. 3A-5B,a filter media plug structure 60 that may encompass the filter materialof the aforementioned incorporated filter media disclosures is installedinto a filter media insert assembly 50, 50′ designed to hold the filtermedia plug 60 at an angle substantially between a predetermined angle of15°-35° with respect to the horizontal floor. An alternate embodiment ofthe plug material used herein may include a mixture of the polymersdisclosed in the Incorporated Disclosures for the absorption/adsorptionof synthetic ester-based fluids and a filter media for theabsorption/adsorption of regular mineral oils.

In prior art embodiments of the filter media insert assembly, the plugor container that contained the absorption material was situatedvertically, so that gravity flow was maximized. At the angle provided inconjunction with this embodiment of the filter media plug mountingstructure of the present invention, water/oil flow rate decreases byabout 10-15% as opposed to a vertically oriented plug, but the requiredamount of material needed for proper absorption and drainage to occur iseffectively reduced to ⅓ of that required in the same vertical plugs.This angled design—although counter-intuitive for gravity-flow—is morecost-effective to manufacture, and produces the same absorption resultsas the vertical plugs, and provides the unexpected result of achievingequivalent or better filtration while utilizing less filter media than avertically oriented plug.

Furthermore, the top layer of material covering the plant floor may lackthe depth needed to properly install a vertically oriented plug, as theplug may extend past proper drainage points into layers of dirt lackingthe porosity needed for water to properly drain into, which may resultin a premature clogging of the plug. The plug angle(s) created by thefilter insert assembly, and more specifically the filter media plugmounting structure of the present invention thus address this issue byrequiring less depth for installation.

The filter insert assembly 50 of an embodiment of the present inventionpresents a filter media plug mounting structure 51 having an angled baseplate 57 and four walls 52 a, 52 b, 52 c, 52 d, and a pre-filter basket80 as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3C-3E. While the plug mounting structure 51shown in FIGS. 3A-3E is composed of an aluminum material, the media plugmounting structure may alternately be composed of stainless steel,plastics, or any other material suitable for the functions describedherein, provided the material can withstand the caustic effects of theflowing liquids. Within the assembly, opposing sidewalls 52 a, 52 b areformed with their perimeters having a trapezoidal or triangular shape(shown in FIGS. 3A and 3C, respectively), and opposing front and rearwalls 52 c, 52 d are formed as parallelograms having different heightswith respect to each other. If the opposing sidewalls 52 a, 52 b aretriangular as in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3C, then no baseplate57 will be present, or front wall 52 c will act as the baseplate.

The rear wall 52 d of the plug mounting structure is higher than thefront wall 52 c and contains a bore for receiving a holding sleeve 53disposed through its axial center. The sleeve receives and holds thefilter media plug 60 therein. Sleeve 53 is sealed and secured to therear wall 52 d of the plug mounting structure 51, such that no fluidentering the structure 51 may bypass the sleeve 53 without first passingthrough the plug 60. The downward-sloping angle of the baseplate 57 towhich the rear wall connects to accounts for the desired angle of thefilter media plug as described above. When the filter insert assembly 50is properly installed flush with the ground, the bottom surface orbaseplate 57 of the plug mounting structure 51 (including sleeve 53 andplug 60) angles away from said ground, or from the horizontal topsurface of the structure 51, as best shown in FIG. 3A.

On the top surface of the plug mounting structure are flanges whichexpand outwardly along a horizontal top surface or plane andperpendicularly from three out of four sides of the plug mountingstructure's perimeter or top edges of walls 52 a-52 c. Batten strips 56are placed over these flanges to straddle a pre-existing liner 71coating the power plant's floor. One side of the perimeter of the plugmounting structure has an upwardly expanding wall 84 which extendsperpendicularly to the planar floor upon installation. This upwardlyexpanding wall comprises holes disposed about its face for receivingfasteners (e.g. bolts, screws, nails, etc.) to secure the rear of theplug mounting structure to a thick containment wall 70 (or any othertype of wall structure) typically a fiberglass wall on the order of 3″thick, and disposed behind the plug mounting structure 51 and above theplug or holding sleeve after installation.

The pre-filter basket 80 is provided with the structure 51 to completethe assembly 50 (or assembly 50′ as described below), as shown in FIG.3E. The pre-filter basket has a solid top surface 83 with a handle 81,and three sidewalls 82 a, 82 b, 82 c comprising a metal liner disposedon the front and sides of the pre-filter basket. The rear of thepre-filter basket comprises two metal plates 84 a, 84 b extendingpartially inward from the corners, with an open gap disposed betweenthem. The solid top surface and two metal plates of the rear of thepre-filter basket are connected via hinge structures 85, to allow thesolid top surface 83 to swing open or rotate in an upward arc uponpulling up on the handle.

To install the pre-filter basket onto the plug mounting structure, therear two metal plates 84 a,b of the pre-filter basket 80 are alignedwith the rear upwardly expanding wall of the plug mounting structure andattached to each other by clamps, welding, fasteners (e.g. bolts,rivets, or screws), or by any other means of connecting two metalsurfaces together. Additional foam filter sheets 54 may be placed on theinside surfaces of the pre-filter basket sidewalls 82 a, 82 b, 82 c, andfoam filter blocks 55 may be inserted within the plug mounting structure51 to further prevent entry of any rocks, dirt, or debris that may passthrough the initial metal liner sidewalls of the pre-filter basket 80.

In alternative embodiments of the filter insert assembly 50′, more thanone plug 60 and associated holding sleeve 53 may be installed within aplug mounting structure 51′, as shown in FIGS. 4A-4B. All remainingstructures of the filter insert assembly 50′ mimic that of the firstembodiment insert assembly 50. This insert assembly 50′ has a greatercapacity to handle higher volumes of water and oil flow therethrough,and is additionally capable of absorbing more than a single plugembodiment counterpart. If the opposing sidewalls 52 a, 52 b aretriangular as in the embodiment depicted in FIG. 4B, then no baseplate57 will be present, or front wall 52 c will act as the baseplate. Theinsert assembly 50′ includes the pre-filter basket 80 and associatedfeatures as previously described, including the connection structure androtatable actions.

An example in-situ installation of the plug and assemblies 50, 50′ isdepicted in FIGS. 3A-5B. While FIGS. 5A-5B show example installations ofthe filter insert assembly 50, embodiment 50′ may be installed in asimilar manner without necessitating much modification. Once the plug 60is installed within the plug mounting structure 51 or 51′ (into thesleeve 53), the assembly is placed in a hole dug into and beneath anexisting floor/liner 71 (such as, but not limited to, bentonite, orother clay-based liners) so that the top surface of the mountingstructure sits flush with the liner/floor. The pre-filter basket 80 laysjust above the liner/floor 71, with the pre-filter basket sidewallsextending perpendicularly upward from the liner/floor. The flangesextending from the plug mounting structure top surface lie justunderneath the liner upon installation, and the upwardly expanding wall84 on the fourth (rear) side of the plug mounting structure sits flushagainst the fiberglass containment wall 70. The batten strips 56 areplaced around the plug mounting structure on top of the flanges so thatthe liner 71 is straddled between the flanges and batten strips.Fasteners are used to secure the batten strips to the mounting structureflanges with the liner disposed between, and to secure the rear upwardlyexpanding wall 84 to the fiberglass containment wall, all which holdsthe plug mounting structure securely in place. The plug portion of theassembly extends beneath and past the containment wall into a drainagepit 72 filled with crushed stone, or any other suitable material such assand, river stone, etc., located on the side of the containment wallopposite the assembly.

A fuller exemplified cross-sectional side view, and top-down view of thein-situ installation of the drainage system is shown in FIGS. 5A-5B,respectfully, where multiple assemblies 50 (or 50′ if so desired) areinstalled along the same containment wall 70. These arrayedinstallations may be seen at larger scale power plants. Each plug sleeve53 traversing through wall 70 is attached to a drainage pipe 62, whichall connect to a main drainage pipe leading into a sump 64. Inembodiment 50′ of FIGS. 4A-4B, two drainage pipes 62 will be connectedto the two plug sleeves 53 protruding from the plug mounting structure51′. Filtered water that successfully traverses through the assemblies50, 50′ are fed into the sump via the drainage pipe 62. A fitting mayfurther be attached to the drainage pipe 62 that allows for drainage toanother area or pump as water continues to accumulate within the sump64.

The assemblies 50, 50′ of the present invention are not limited strictlyto power plants or tank farms (facilities used for the storage of oilsor chemicals) with bentonite floor liners, but may also be installed insuch locations utilizing concrete floors or fabric-lined floors, amongother types of floor material.

The installed filter insert assembly serves the purpose of filtering oilor fluid that mixes with rain water or other liquids in the event of aspill. As the combined oil and water begins to flow within the powerplant, rocks and other debris may be picked up and heterogeneously mixedwith the combined oil/water. As this heterogeneous mixture flows intothe assembly, the pre-filter basket separates the rocks and other largedebris from the oil/water mixture and prevents them from entering theinside of the assembly, where they would otherwise clog the plug.

The remaining water and oil mixture entering the assembly runs down andinto the plug at the bottom of the plug mounting structure, where theoil is absorbed/adsorbed by the filter media located inside of the plug.The remaining filtered water traverses out through the plug and into thedrainage pit located on the other side of the containment wall. Thefilter media and plug functionality are described in greater detail inthe aforementioned Incorporated Disclosures.

Trench Box Embodiment:

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, as depicted in FIGS.6A-8G, a plug structure and filtering material, such as that of theaforementioned Incorporated Disclosures, is installed into a trenchfiltration assembly 100, 100′, or 100″ designed to hold the filter mediaplug within a sleeve secured to a housing 110 and a trench box 118, theassembly 100-100″ which is installed into a trench 130 below surfacelevel. The sleeve 60 is secured to the housing such that no water mayescape around the outside of the sleeve, and any water entering into theassembly must exit through the sleeve 60 and filter media plug disposedtherein. An alternate embodiment of the plug material used herein mayinclude a mixture of the polymers disclosed in the IncorporatedDisclosures for the absorption/adsorption of synthetic ester-basedfluids and a filter media for the absorption/adsorption of regularmineral oils.

Trench filtration assemblies 100-100″ include the housing 110 with afront end and rear end, the assemblies 100-100″ further having analuminum top panel 112 movably connected to the top surface of thehousing, a mounting bracket 114, 114′, or 114″, a gasket 116 disposedbetween the bracket 114-114″ and trench box 118, and a pre-filtermaterial 120, 121 disposed within the trench box. Trench box 118 mayfurther include a removable grate 119 disposed within the confines ofthe box for preventing passage of rocks and debris through the trenchbox's outer walls. The size and shape of the trench filtration assembly100-100″ may be of any suitable configuration specific to each instanceof installation, with no negative impact on its functionality. Thedimensions of the trench 130 will dictate the configuration anddimensions of the assembly 100.

The trench filtration assembly may be assembled in a variety of ways, asexemplified across embodiments 100-100″ of the trench filtrationassembly. For example, a first embodiment of the assembly 100 employsthe trench box 118 bolted into the mounting bracket 114, which issecured to the front end of the housing 110, as presented in FIGS.6A-6G. During installation, the media plug sleeve 60 is placed in thetrench and runs through a barrier within the trench 130, i.e., a stoneor concrete wall, liner, or any other non-permeable surface. One end ofthe plug sleeve 60 sits within the rear end of housing 110, while theother end discharges filtered water past the trench 130 barrier,typically into a drainage pipe running to an outside drain. Trench boxhousing 110 encloses the plug within itself in a fluid-tight seal. Inall embodiments 100-100″, top panel 112 may be rotated to an openposition or removed for easy access to the plug within the sleeve 60,thus facilitating replacement once the filter media within the plug isused up or clogged.

Mounting bracket 114 is installed onto the outer face of housing 110,with the body of mounting bracket 114 being enclosed within the housing.A gasket 116 is placed around the outer perimeter of the mountingbracket 114. Pre-filter material 120 and additional filtration media 121are then disposed within the trench box 118, which is then inserted intothe housing 110 and secured to the bracket 114 via bolts (the trench boxinsertion shown by the dashed arrow in FIG. 6D). Gasket 116 seals offthe inside of housing 110 after bracket 114 is installed to prevent anywater from bypassing the pre-filter and additional filter materials 120,121 located both inside of the housing 110 and trench box 118. Thegasket 116 and grate 119 of the trench box 118 ensure that no rocks orother debris will build up inside of the housing 110 or box 118 andcreate clogging.

In a second embodiment of the trench filtration assembly 100′, mountingbracket 114′ has receiving grooves running along the side edges on themounting bracket's 114′ outer perimeter, as demonstrated in FIGS. 7A-7G.Installation of the assembly 100′ is the same for all components exceptfor how the trench box 118 is secured to the mounting bracket 114′. Inthis embodiment, flanges extending from the trench box 118 slideably fitwithin the mounting bracket 114′ receiving grooves to secure the box 118in place upon installation (as shown by the dashed arrow in FIG. 7D).Gasket 116 ensures the connection between the box 118 and bracket 114′is fluid-tight. Due to the nature of connection between the box 118 andbracket 114′, the body of the box 118 protrudes outside of the housing110, instead of inside the housing 110 as it does in aforementionedfirst embodiment of the trench box assembly.

Another embodiment of the trench filtration assembly 100″ shown in FIGS.8A-8G utilizes a mounting bracket 114″ connected to the trench box 118via hinges located at either the top or bottom edge of the bracket 114″.Installation of the assembly 100″ is the same for all components exceptfor how the trench box 118 is installed within the mounting bracket114″. In this embodiment, trench box 118 can swing open and away ineither an upward or downward arc from the housing 110 via the hingeslocated on the bracket 114″ (as shown by the dashed arrow in FIG. 8D).This allows for easy access and replacement of the plug within sleeve60. Gasket 116 ensures the connection between the box 118 and bracket114″ is fluid-tight. While the body of box 118 is shown protrudingoutside of housing 110 in this embodiment, the body of the box 118 mayinstead protrude inside of housing 110 and still properly swing out andaway from housing 110 if the installer so desires.

After the trench filtration assembly 100-100″ is installed, a pre-filtergrate 140 and associated pre-filter material 141 are installed above thetrench box assembly, as demonstrated in FIGS. 9A-9B and further shown ineach of FIGS. 6C, 7C, and 8C of the trench filtration assemblyembodiments 100-100″, respectively. Pre-filter grate 140 is disposedbetween the top of the trench box assembly and bottom of the trenchgrate 132, and prevents introduction of any rocks, dirt, or other debristhat would otherwise enter from above the assembly and block the flow offluid.

Liner Pre-Filtration Assembly Embodiment:

In another embodiment of the present invention, as depicted in FIGS.10-12, a non-permeable liner, berm, or curtain having a base andsidewalls is laid out around a power plant, truck stop, fueling station,or any other commercial location necessitating spill containment, tocreate a directed flow path for the flow of contaminated water/fluid. Anopening is provided at some point along the liner or curtain sidewallsto allow for passage of fluid that first enters through a linerpre-filtration assembly 220-220″.

The liner pre-filtration assembly 220-220″ is installed over the openingin the liner, represented as containment liner material 230, inside theslots area of the liner. Each pre-filtration assembly 220-220″ iscomprised of the same variations of components: a grated/permeable linerbox 222-222″ for collecting and holding debris, a mounting bracket224-224″ for attaching the liner box to the assembly, a grated/permeablemounting box 226-226″ acting as the rear wall of the assembly installedbehind the liner wall 230, and posts 228 to receive and secure themounting box 226-226″ disposed behind the containment liner material230. A pre-filter grating 232 is installed over the outer, front facingsurface of the liner box 222-222″. In all instances, the liner box222-222″ is connected to the assembly such that a fluid/oil-tight sealis formed on the box sides and bottom (at the floor) to prevent passageof such fluid/oil and other debris through the liner in a manner thatcircumvents the assembly 220-220″.

Once the assembly 220-220″ is fully installed, a gravel guard 234 formedin a crescent shape (or any other suitable bracket shape) is disposed infront of the installed assembly to provide further filtration andprevent blockage from rocks and debris swept up by the movingwater/fluid. The gravel guard 234 is permeable in such a way that allowsfor fluid to pass through, but larger stone, dirt, and other debriscannot. The differences across each embodiment of the assembly 220-220″involve the means of connecting the liner box 222-222″ to the mountingbracket 224-224″, and the design of the mounting box 226-226″. Anadvantage of installing the liner filtration assembly 220-220″ is anincreased flow rate through the assembly due to the increased area forallowable flow. The filtration assembly 220-220″ may be up to two feetlong and 12 inches high from the liner floor, but other dimensions ofthe assembly may be used depending on the particular needs anddimensions of the installation site.

In pre-filtration assembly 220 as shown in FIG. 10, the liner box 222 isformed with a recess having four sidewalls and a permeable base,protruding in the direction towards the rear of the assembly. Mountingbox 226 is formed in a similar fashion, having a recess with foursidewalls and a permeable base also protruding towards the rear. Linerbox 222 is bolted into the mounting bracket 224, the bolts which furtherextend through the liner material 230 and mounting box 226 to secure theaforementioned components together, all of which are bolted into theposts 228. Once the components are secured together as described above,the protruding recess of the liner box 222 will traverse through thebracket 224, liner material 230, and into the recess of mounting box226. The remainder of the assembly is formed as generally describedabove.

In the pre-filtration assembly 220′ as shown in FIG. 11, the liner box222′ is formed with a recess having four sidewalls and a permeable base,protruding in the direction towards the front of the assembly, andflanges extending from the edges of the sidewalls. Mounting box 226′ isformed as one flat planar piece, with a permeable grate comprising itsmidsection. Liner box 222′ is slideably received into the top of themounting bracket 224′ via slots extending along the side edges of thebracket that receive the liner box 222′ flanges. Bolts are used toconnect the liner box 222′ and bracket 224′ assembly to the mounting box226′, the bolts which further extend through the bracket, liner material230, and mounting box 226′ to secure the aforementioned componentstogether, the resultant assembly which is then bolted into the posts228. The remainder of the assembly is formed as generally describedabove.

In the pre-filtration assembly 220″ as shown in FIG. 12, the liner box222″ is formed with a recess having four sidewalls and a permeable base,protruding in the direction towards the front of the assembly. Mountingbox 226″ is formed as one flat planar piece, with a permeable gratecomprising its midsection. Liner box 222″ is rotatably secured into thebottom edge of the mounting bracket 224″, though liner box 222″ may alsobe hinged to the mounting bracket's top edge instead. Bolts are used toconnect the liner box 222″ and bracket 224″ assembly to the mounting box226″, the bolts which further extend through the bracket, liner material230, and mounting box 226″ to secure the aforementioned componentstogether, the resultant assembly which is then bolted into posts 228.The remainder of the assembly is formed as generally described above.

Once the liner filtration assembly 220-220″ is in place, a redirectingdrainage pipe may be installed at the rear of the assembly 220-220″adjacent to the mounting box 226-226″. In this manner, filtered fluidmay be redirected to an outside sump, drainage pool, or the like,depending on the installer needs.

The present invention provides one or more of the followingadvantages: 1) a stormwater insert box or container for filtering oilsheen from high volumes of storm water introduced into a storm drainwhile preventing surface level puddling; 2) a stormwater insert box orcontainer and shutoff valve assembly capable of allowing bypass flowonce the volume entering the container exceeds a certain threshold; 3)an angled filter insert assembly for a filter media plug for filteringester-based fluid spills at energy plants, and for easy drainage of thefiltered water into a location outside of the plant; 4) a trenchfiltration assembly for a filter media plug for insertion into a waterrunoff trench for filtering oil, gas, and debris from a flow of waterthat allows for higher flow rates; and 5) a liner pre-filtrationassembly for a filter media plug for installation within a non-permeableliner or curtain for filtration of oil, gas, and debris collected bywater runoff that allows for higher flow rates.

While the present invention has been particularly described, inconjunction with one or more specific embodiments, it is evident thatmany alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent tothose skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. It istherefore contemplated that the appended claims will embrace any suchalternatives, modifications and variations as falling within the truescope and spirit of the present invention.

Thus, having described the invention, what is claimed is:
 1. A trenchfiltration assembly for installation within a trench, comprising: ahousing having a top, a front end, internal sidewalls, and a rear end,said housing having a width approximate of said trench such that saidhousing forms a fluid-tight seal with respect to said trench, andwherein fluid passing through said trench is directed through saidhousing; a sleeve attached to, and in fluid communication with, saidhousing rear end, forming a pathway for said fluid exiting said housing;a removable trench box attachable to said housing such that said fluidpassing through said trench is directed to, and passes through, saidtrench box; a filter media plug for filtering oil and other contaminantsfrom a fluid, said filter media plug installed within said sleeve, suchthat said fluid may only exit said trench through said filter mediaplug; a mounting bracket for securing said trench box to said housingfront end; a removable grate disposed within said trench box forpreventing passage of rocks and debris through the housing; and a gasketdisposed between the mounting bracket and trench box for maintaining afluid-tight seal between said trench box and said housing; said trenchfiltration assembly adapted for installation within a trench such thatsaid trench filtration assembly housing is at least partially withinsaid trench.
 2. The trench filtration assembly of claim 1, wherein atleast one of said internal sidewalls of the housing is shaped to allowfor fluid to flow in the direction towards said sleeve and filter mediaplug.
 3. The trench filtration assembly of claim 1 including a top panelin slideable communication with said top of said housing.
 4. The trenchfiltration assembly of claim 1 wherein said filter media plug includesfilter media capable of filtering ester-based fluids.
 5. The trenchfiltration assembly of claim 1 wherein said sleeve directs filteredfluid into a collective container or sump.
 6. The trench filtrationassembly of claim 3 wherein said sleeve is positioned for receiving thefilter media plug at an angle with respect to said top panel.
 7. Thetrench filtration assembly of claim 1, wherein said housing or saidsleeve may be installed underneath a liner or flush with a floorsurface.
 8. The trench filtration assembly of claim 1 wherein uponsecuring of said trench box to said mounting bracket, a body of saidtrench box is disposed inside of said housing.
 9. The trench filtrationassembly of claim 1 wherein the trench box is rotatably connected to themounting bracket to allow the trench box to rotate away from thehousing.
 10. The trench filtration assembly of claim 1 wherein securingof said trench box to said mounting bracket, a body of said trench boxis disposed outside of said housing.
 11. The trench filtration assemblyof claim 1 wherein said trench box has flanges extending from sideedges, and said mounting bracket secures said trench box to the housingvia slots disposed on either side of said mounting structure, said slotsreceiving said trench box flanges.
 12. The trench filtration assembly ofclaim 1 including pre-filter media installed within said housingupstream of said filter media plug.
 13. A method of installing a trenchfiltration assembly for an absorption/adsorption media plug, comprising:providing a trench for the passage of fluid therethrough, the trenchhaving a length, walls covered with a non-permeable liner and a barrier;and providing a trench filtration assembly having a housing with a firstside for receiving a trench box and a second side for receiving asleeve, a mounting bracket for securing the trench box to the housingfirst side, and a removable grate disposed within the trench box forpreventing entrance of rocks and debris within the housing; inserting afilter media plug within said sleeve, such that said filter media plugextends beyond said housing; installing the mounting bracket over thefront end of said housing; inserting said housing within said trenchsuch that said sleeve extends through said trench barrier; disposing agasket between said mounting bracket and said trench box to maintain afluid-tight seal between said trench box and said housing; securing saidtrench box to said housing first side via the mounting bracket; andinstalling a top panel movably secured to a top of said housing; and 14.The method of claim 13 including installing a pre-filter and apre-filter grate.
 15. The method of claim 13 including directingfiltered fluid from said sleeve into a collective container or sump. 16.The method of claim 13 wherein securing said trench box to said housingfirst side includes securing said trench box to said mounting bracket.17. The method of claim 16 wherein said step of securing said trench boxto said housing first side includes having a body of said trench boxdisposed outside of said housing.